Love Island Austin

Former Love Island USA contestant shares what it takes to land a spot on the series at Austin pop up

As if Austin isn't hot enough, things got even steamier on Saturday when "Love Island USA" popped up on Rainey Street. The Peacock reality dating series came to Austin looking for future contestants to appear on an upcoming season.

Fans were invited to record a video entering the villa, film an audition tape in person, and take fresh audition photos. There was also a bedroom photo op where anyone could snap a picture, as well as a meet and greet with former cast member Deb Chubb.

CultureMap spoke with Chubb about what it takes to land a coveted spot on the series:

"Be yourself, have a big personality ... stand out, don't be shy," the Dallas native said. "Make your bold statements like, 'I'm here because I'm the hottest b*tch in Austin!'"

Chubb also talked about the best part of the "Love Island" experience. "My favorite thing about being on the show probably was the friendships I made."

She went on to say that getting to meet people she never would have had the opportunity to meet was amazing.

$\u200bThe Love Island USA pop up on Rainey Street in Austin, Texas$

Photo via Dani Dudek, SpilltheATX.com

Deb Chubb from Love Island USA

While Chubb has visited Austin once before during college (she floated a nearby river and "did all the party stuff"), this was a short visit. She and her mom did, however, enjoy a dinner at Austin Proper Hotel's Peacock Restaurant.

Did the "Love Island USA" crew find any tantalizing Texans? We'll just have to wait and see! New episodes of Love Island USA are streaming now on Peacock Thursdays through Tuesdays at 8 pm CST.

Robbed Again

Robbers steal essential equipment from new Starlight Drive-In location

Photo courtesy of KVUE

Blue Starlite Drive-in has had more than its fair share of robberies.

A local drive-in movie theater is reeling from yet another robbery.

In an Instagram post Tuesday, Blue Starlite Drive-in said its newest location on VFW Road, in the Parmer Lane and Tech Ridge Boulevard area of northeast Austin, was robbed this week.

"Now, we have officially been robbed at every one of our locations," Blue Starlite wrote.

The drive-in said it was already using the last of its working equipment because "due to previous robberies, we no longer have backup equipment." Much of the business' equipment was stolen at its downtown location, off San Antonio Street, in January 2023.

The drive-in closed its other location in the Mueller neighborhood last July and opened the VFW location last fall.

According to Blue Starlite, all of its tech equipment from its main office trailer at the VFW location was stolen, including Blu-Ray players, iPads, projectors, cords and AV supplies.

The business said it's able to run a few screens at the VFW location this week and in the future. However, until it can replace the main equipment it has lost, it won't be able to add additional independent titles to its slate.

"We are pretty devastated that we took another hit and, to be honest, we can’t really take any more hits," the theater wrote on Instagram.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

movies film crime